Shaq, who is originally from Newark, said despite that the Knicks, with Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony leading the way, need to step up this year, because “in New York, OK is not good enough.” The Knicks were dominated in the first round of the playoffs last season by the eventual champion Heat.

“I think when Carmelo plays against LeBron (James) and (Dwyane Wade), he should take it personally, like he’s always talked about last (among the three),” O’Neal told the website. “When Amare plays against (Chris) Bosh, he should take it personally. That’s what I always used to do. I played against guys, I used to take it personally that you’re not talking about me.”

O’Neal feels that “Brooklyn got better” in the offseason in adding Joe Johnson and bringing back Deron Williams, Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries.

“The good thing about (New Yorkers) is that they’re always excited, they’re very competitive,” said Shaq, who was at Yankee Stadium for the Yankees-Rays game Friday night. “I’m looking for the Nets-Knicks rivalry to amp up a little bit more this year.”